MPs Buying Their Own Ink Cartridges Silly

The idea that MPs should buy their own printer ink cartridges instead of allowing the House of Commons to place bulk orders doesn't make a lot of sense, a Spectator journalist has said.

Writing about the reformed expenses regulations for the magazine's Coffee House blog, James Forsyth said many politicians' "grumbles" about the new expenses regime do seem "reasonable".

These include all MPs having to purchase their own printer consumables rather than the House buying job lots and bulk orders, which could include a discount.

However, responding to the blog piece, one contributor, Michael, said that if the House of Commons issued a contract for bulk buying of print cartridges, they would be likely to cost £100 each or more.

"And they'd only work with one printer," he added.

"The Civil Service is not known for sane purchasing."

In February, Mr Forsyth wrote, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) will release all MP expenses' requests that have been refused, which is concerning many MPs.